Xiaomi 16: What to Expect from the New Small Flagship Phone

If you’ve been waiting to see what Xiaomi has up its sleeve for its next flagship, you’re in luck. The Xiaomi 16 is expected to break cover in late September, just after Qualcomm reveals the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2—the very chip that’s set to power this new phone. And today, thanks to a new CAD-based sketch making the rounds online, we’re getting our first real peek at what the device might look like.

At first glance, the Xiaomi 16 doesn’t stray too far from the path set by last year’s model. The design is clearly an evolution of the Xiaomi 15. You’ll spot that familiar squircle camera island tucked into the top left corner of the back—Xiaomi’s sticking to what works, but giving it a little polish.

What’s new, though, is the two-tone finish on the back. It’s a subtle shift, but it gives the phone a bit more personality. If you’ve seen the latest renders based on these sketches, you’ll know what I mean: it’s clean, modern, and unmistakably Xiaomi.

But let’s talk about what’s under the hood. The Xiaomi 16 is rumored to feature a display that lands somewhere between 6.32 and 6.36 inches. That means it’s still compact by today’s standards, but you won’t feel cramped watching videos or scrolling through your feed. Leaks suggest this could be the best screen Xiaomi’s ever put on a phone this size—bright, sharp, and easy on the eyes.

Cameras are getting a boost, too. For the first time on a smaller Xiaomi flagship, a periscope telephoto lens is expected to join the main setup. Translation: better zoom, clearer shots from far away, and more flexibility for your photos. The main sensor is likely to be top-notch, so you can count on crisp, colorful pictures no matter what you’re shooting.

And then there’s the battery. If the latest info holds true, the Xiaomi 16 is packing a massive 6,800mAh cell. That’s huge for a phone this size. Pair that with 100W wired charging, and you’re looking at a device that can go all day and juice up in a flash when you need it.

Here’s a quick rundown of what’s shaping up so far:

Xiaomi 16 Specs

In short, the Xiaomi 16 looks like a smart update—nothing wild, but plenty of thoughtful improvements. If you want a small flagship that doesn’t cut corners on power, battery, or camera tech, this one should be on your radar. As we get closer to September, expect more details to drop, but right now, the Xiaomi 16 is shaping up to be one of the most interesting phones of the year.

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